Vertu's latest Bentley-branded phone costs as much as a car

Bentley is known for its exquisite luxury cars, and Vertu is likewise known for... well, very expensive smartphones. So it makes sense that the two companies have collaborated once more for another extravagant handset.

Following two previous collaborations, the companies have just launched the handmade Signature Touch for Bentley phone, which puts a little car-brand spin on last autumn's standard Signature Touch release. It offers two-tone Beluga and Hotspur Bentley leather, Hotspur stitching, and even a "3D Bentley" logo.

The phone also includes an exclusive Bentley app that offers unique content and access to special events and promotions. Likewise, Vertu has its own Dedicated Concierge feature that can get you into exclusive clubs and offers 24-hour worldwide assistance for your every need. That's what a five-figure phone will get you, we suppose.

Five figures? Quite likely. While specific pricing for the Bentley model wasn't revealed, the standard Signature Touch starts at US$9,000 (about £6,2000) and runs up to US$19,000 (about £13,000). Given the allure of the Bentley brand, we have to assume that the base model starts at an even higher price. And, of course, it offers the Made to Order option with eight leather colours and 16 stitching selections, which is where you get the more extreme pricing levels.

At least the specs are mostly top-end too: it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset within, along with 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage (and support for 2TB microSD cards), and a 21-megapixel back camera, along with a 3,160mAh battery. However, the 1080p resolution of the 5.2in display is a bit meager compared to typical flagships, and just Android 5.1 Lollipop at this point? That's a drag.

But if you're paying 20x the price of a standard flagship phone for one with a Bentley logo, chances are you're buying for the brand more than the tech.

"The partnership between Vertu and Bentley is a superb example of two global brands working together to make extraordinary products that complement the lifestyle and aspirations of discerning and sophisticated customers," says Kevin Rose, Bentley board member for sales and marketing. "The Vertu for Bentley phones are designed and handmade in England, personifying style, elegance and the modern perception of bespoke, underpinned by world-class technology and luxury performance."